Who is safe?

Just who is safe in Nigeria? That is the question on the lips of many people with the report of the assassination of Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chinwike Asadu on March 2. He was shot dead at about 9.50 p.m. by yet unknown gunmen while on a private visit to Enugu, his home state. The police commissioner was driving into his private residence at Amorji-Nike, near the densely populated Abakpa Enugu, with his driver and an orderly posted to guard his residence from the Abakoppa Police Division, after escorting a visitor when they noticed a bus trailing them. The gunmen in the bus fired at their vehicle from the rear. His orderly Aloha Olaniyi, and driver, Oliver Omeh, who were with him at the time sustained serious bullet wounds and are being treated at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu. Mr Asadu however did not make it as he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

As usual, the police have promised to fish out the killers. But this is a catchphrase Nigerians are used to. The only difference perhaps is that this time around, one of their own is involved. So, in a sense, this is not just any other high-profile murder because, in terms of such killings, we have a long list, with none resolved. Here, we are talking about the murder of Chief Bola Ige, former attorney-general and minister of justice; Harry Marshall; Jerry Agbeyegbe; Sunday Ugwu; Odunayo Olagbaju and Janet Oladapo; Ahmed Pategi; Victor Nwankwo; Funsho Williams; Chimere Ikoku; Ayodeji Daramola; Dele Arojo; Isyaku Muhammadu; Udo Marcus Akpan; Ogbonnaya Uche. And then there was Abigail and Barnabas Igwe, among many others.

The country has become one huge jungle where only the fittest survive. Life does not seem to have meaning as it can be snuffed out for nothing or for peanuts. Unfortunately, the government that should provide security has abdicated that responsibility, preferring instead, to master delivering of graveside orations. Yet, a cardinal role of government is protection of lives and property. As a matter of fact, that is the raison detre of any government properly so-called. But the reality today is that hardly can Nigerians sleep with their two eyes closed.

With the assassination of a police commissioner, and previous attacks on otherwise sacred institutions in the country, armed bandits are sending the message that no place is inviolable and no one is invincible. This does not speak well of the country. No investor wants to risk his life and investment in an unsafe clime like ours. Yet, we need investments to jump-start our economy.

Sadly, those who should be concerned about this state of things do not appear to be worried. Their main concern now is how to win or rig the 2015 elections. These are the same people who have failed to measure up in terms of delivering democratic dividends now plotting for 2015 when they are yet to be half-way into their tenure. They are the same people largely responsible for the growing insecurity in the country. They probably think that they are safe. But recent developments have shown that no one is.

This is enough reason for the government to take more drastic measures about insecurity in the country. We must do something about the security agencies, particularly the police. This newspaper would not be tired of restating the need for them to be properly trained, kitted and motivated. Perhaps the place to start is their training colleges that are in a shambles. The Inspector-General of Police has given orders that the killers of the late commissioner of police must be found. We look forward to the day they would be found so that we can at least break the jinx of unresolved high-profile murders. It is sad that a man who was only months away from his retirement could be so wickedly snatched away by bandits of whatever hue.

I have been in a state of shock since I received the sad news. The commissioner is a brother and friend to me. I have been close to him since 1980 when he was in the police college jos and I was in the medical school .Chinwike is a good God fearing man who cannot hurt a fly talk less of hurting a fellow man.He is always doing good to all manner of people.What has he done to merit this manner of death?The police and other security agencies should do everything possible and apprehend the killers.His case should not be like the case of other unresolved murders.

If the police hierarchy fail to send a strong signal through the resolve of this murder case, then they just might have lost it. Must this nation become a free-for-all ammunition state before we launch the right attack on this menace that so threatens our existence as a people? We are waiting eagerly and dangerously . . .